Kids' Activities in Houston

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With a metropolitan area larger than the entire state of Massachusetts, Houston boasts dozens of attractions well-suited for children and their parents. Beyond sporting events, concerts, theater performances and many attractions just outside the city limits, Houston’s downtown area offers plenty of opportunities for families to learn and play together. Houston can provide enough interesting activities to keep your kids occupied for a weekend or a week-long visit.

Hermann Park

Home of the Houston Zoo, Hermann Park shows off a lush landscape of hills and the meandering Brays Bayou in the middle of Houston’s concrete jungle. Visitors can enjoy 80 acres of trails, fishing spots, a public golf course and beautiful gardens. Kids will be thrilled with the railroad that circles the park, and they may enjoy trekking across the pond on a paddle boat. Several playgrounds are scattered through the park, and the Miller Outdoor Theater features free performances, many suitable for children, throughout the year. Just behind the theater is a large hill perfect for rolling down; on sunny days, you will find scores of kids tumbling enthusiastically toward the picnic area below. Hermann Park Hermann Park Drive Houston, TX 77030 713-524-5876 hermannpark.org

The Health Museum

If a museum dedicated to health and the human body sounds like a science lesson your children would rather skip, they are in for a shock when they step into the Health Museum. With exhibits designed to delight as well as educate, the museum takes guests on a tour of a larger-than-life human body where kids can sit on giant teeth and walk through a rib-cage tunnel. In addition to static permanent and seasonal exhibits, you can also experience “Planet You” in the McGovern 4-D theater. Kids can get their game on in the Challenge Gallery, where interactive exhibits test their reflexes, muscle memory and problem-solving skills. The Health Museum 1515 Hermann Dr. Houston, TX 77004 713-521-1515 mhms.org

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Explore ancient life, gaze upon the bones of a behemoth and test your senses at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. With exhibits showcasing everything from how oil is drilled to displays of sparkling gemstones, tiny scientists are sure to find something to spark their interest. While the upper floors are home to formal exhibits, the basement houses a child-friendly array of simple machines and other tributes to physics and energy. For an additional fee, visitors can see an IMAX show, walk among butterflies in the Cockrell Butterfly Center or observe the stars in the Burke Baker Planetarium. Houston Museum of Natural Science One Hermann Circle Drive Houston, TX 77030 713-639-4629 hmns.org

Houston Galleria

Most kids are not thrilled by the idea of shopping, but the Houston Galleria may change their opinions on the pastime. Three floors of retail space house 375 stores and restaurants, including specialty children’s shops, toy vendors, bookstores and video-game retailers. Perhaps the biggest draw for kids is the massive ice rink housed on the bottom floor of the Galleria, where families can rent skates or participate in helpful lessons. As they whiz around the ice, kids can enjoy the sights and sounds of the mall that rise on all sides of the rink. The Galleria 5085 Westheimer Road, Suite 4850 Houston, TX 77056 713-622-0663 simon.com/mall